(StatePoint) Washington, D.C. is a city filled with monuments and memorials celebrating those whose life’s work was in service to the nation. Some of the most visited memorials in the city honor veterans and the sacrifices they have made in service to the United States.

(StatePoint) Epidurals are used as a pain relief method by millions of American women during childbirth each year. While safe and effective in most cases -- each year, 2.4 million births involve epidural analgesia procedures out of 4 million annual births -- unintentional dural puncture affects 5%, causing complications for new mothers. Among those patients, 60–80% experience postpartum headaches, which can become severe, chronic and disabling, in some cases lasting months to years. Medical advancements however are promising to offer a safer and more comfortable and effective experience during labor and delivery.

(StatePoint) Environmental concerns are impacting shopping decisions for consumers of all ages, according to recent research.

(StatePoint) Electric vehicles (EV) are becoming commonplace. By now, you’ve probably seen a Tesla, the Ford Mustang Mach E, Chevy Bolt or Nissan Leaf on the road at least once. Maybe you’ve even heard about newer models like the Rivian R1T pickup and the Toyota bZ4X crossover. And chargers? Yeah, you’ve probably seen them at highway rest stops or store parking lots. Now, you may be wondering if it’s time to go electric.

(StatePoint) At a time when the economic impacts of COVID-19 are making it hard for many families to afford healthy food and safe housing, and ever-changing work and school schedules are making their logistics hard to juggle, a new report finds that inequities in the system are further exacerbating these issues for millions of American children.

(StatePoint) The last few years have put immense pressure on nurses to work longer, harder and with less staff. New research suggests that many nurses feel unseen, undervalued and unsupported, wondering if it’s worth it.

(StatePoint) Small businesses are the heartbeat of communities. They pump life into neighborhoods, making them vibrant places to live, work and raise families, and are key to millions of local jobs. In fact, approximately 50% of all Americans are employed by a small business and 99% of American businesses are small businesses, according to the U.S. Small Business Administration.

(StatePoint) Summer holidays often revolve around being together, but whether your family and friends are near or far, there are plenty of fun and unique ways to celebrate these holidays in-person or virtually. Here’s a little history on a few annual summer occasions, and ideas for amping up the festivities.

(StatePoint) Did you know that everyone inhales nontuberculous mycobacteria (NTM) into their lungs as part of daily life? NTM is a group of over 200 types of bacteria. While most of these types of bacteria do not cause harm in humans, some do. The most common type of NTM lung disease is MAC or mycobacterium avium complex. Naturally found in soil and water, for most people the organisms do no harm. However, in a small number of vulnerable individuals, NTM can infect airways and lung tissue, leading to disease. As of 2012, more than 86,000 people are likely living with NTM lung disease nationwide.

(StatePoint) Lung cancer research is moving at a rapid pace, with researchers learning more about the disease and working hard to find treatments to help save and extend lives. At the same time, Black Americans account for only 3.1% of participants in clinical trials for cancer drugs. Experts say that this needs to change.

(StatePoint) Today, one-third of all U.S. homes are in what are known as wildland-urban interface (WUI) zones, regions in or adjacent to areas prone to wildland fires. As with many types of disasters, wildland fires are increasing in severity and frequency. This is because of the continuously changing climate. However, there are things we can do now to help protect properties, ensure the safety of residents, and strengthen local communities.

(StatePoint) New research is offering insights into how the world can recover and rebuild from the pandemic, along with how individuals and organizations can address issues they care about in their communities.

(StatePoint) Since the start of the pandemic, Americans have been postponing routine care. With more Americans vaccinated against COVID-19, medical experts are urging patients to return to routine health care and get caught up on delayed or foregone preventive health screenings.

(StatePoint) Did you know that there are many sustainable tweaks you can make to the way you shop?

(StatePoint) Supply chain issues top the list of concerns for small business owners over the last six months, but they see those pressures easing by mid-year, according to new research. In the meantime, inflation is expected to continue impacting business owners, with a majority planning to further raise their own prices.

(StatePoint) An annual scholarship contest is once again helping creative teens pay their college expenses. Here’s what to know:

(StatePoint) Humans produce over 380 million tonsvof plastic every year, according to Plastic Oceans. Because plastic doesn’t biodegrade, it creates waste, litter and pollution. But there are steps you can take to reduce your own contribution to this mounting problem. Here are a few ideas to consider:

(StatePoint) If you’re ready to buy your first home but are short on the down payment, you’re not alone. Affording a down payment is the number one barrier to homeownership, and rising housing costs are presenting even bigger hurdles.

(StatePoint) Human plasma donations are used to produce life-saving medicines for people affected by serious and rare diseases around the world. Experts say that right now there is a critical need for plasma donations.

(StatePoint) New research from the Columbia University Mailman School of Public Health finds patients and physicians share widespread trust in pharmacists. This is welcome news as pharmacists in the United States are poised to take on additional responsibilities to help fill the growing care gap expected from health care provider shortages in the next decade.

(StatePoint) If you’re like many parents, you want to set a good example for your children and teach them how they can positively impact the world around them. However, when it comes to sustainable efforts, the responsibility of saving the environment can seem like a monumental task.

(StatePoint) If you’re like many people right now, you’re feeling a particular sense of urgency to roll up your sleeves and be a force for good.

(StatePoint) The events of the past couple of years have shown how important scientists are to making the world a better and safer place.

(StatePoint) Those graduating in the spring of 2022 and other job seekers should take note -- industry experts say that not only are home healthcare caregivers needed more now than ever before, but this industry offers many rewarding career paths.

(StatePoint) Women represent the majority of all entrepreneurs today. In 2020 alone, women started 2,000 small businesses nationwide and of those, 64% were founded by women from diverse backgrounds, according to Fundera statistics.

(StatePoint) Over the past two years, public schools have faced continual disruptions brought about by COVID-19. Experts say that federal relief funds have given the nation a one-time opportunity to learn from the experience and to focus recovery efforts and resources on delivering high-quality instruction and support for students in ways that will accelerate their learning and meet their social and emotional needs.

(StatePoint) Jonathan Hill was only 2 years old when he was diagnosed with hemophilia A, a bleeding condition that can lead to life-threatening complications. Like with other chronic diseases, living with hemophilia is a lifelong journey filled with daily obstacles and medical care.

(StatePoint) As U.S. troops support NATO allies in Eastern Europe amid the crisis in Ukraine, efforts are being made to boost morale and connect service members to friends and family back home.

(StatePoint) If you think you’re seeing more electric vehicles (EVs) on the road, you’re not imagining it. From 2020 to 2021 alone, there was a 70% increase in registered EVs within the United States. Auto giants such as Ford and Chevrolet are quickly expanding their fleets of EVs, and with Congress passing historic EV legislation last fall, experts agree that this trend is only set to intensify.

(StatePoint) If you are living with – or know someone who has – a rare kidney disease, you know how important it is to speak with your healthcare team about proper management strategies, including diet modifications. This is especially important for those living with autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease (ADPKD), a rare, genetic disease that causes fluid-filled cysts to develop on and progressively enlarge both kidneys.

(StatePoint) Searching for a mental health provider? You likely have questions.

(StatePoint) Radon is present at high levels in a surprisingly large number of American homes, schools and other buildings. While this naturally-occurring gas is odorless, tasteless and colorless, it’s far from harmless. Experts are raising awareness about the serious health risks associated with radon exposure and what you can do about it.

(StatePoint) For many, the additional isolation and never-ending uncertainty of the past couple years has led to mental fatigue and burnout. Experts say that no matter your age, turning to play instead of social media can help you feel more like yourself again.

(StatePoint) Omicron is between 1.5 to 3 times more transmissible than the Delta variant of the SARS-CoV-2 virus that causes COVID-19. Additionally, people who manifest symptoms are doing so more quickly than with previous strains -- sometimes just two to three days after exposure. And recent evidence shows daily Omicron deaths in the United States have exceeded those from the Delta variant. Amid these troubling facts, there is pervasive confusion about what steps individuals should be taking right now to protect themselves.

(StatePoint) With school districts in flux as the pandemic continues to evolve, students, parents and teachers have had to roll with the punches in order to adapt. Here are three ways to ensure your student thrives during this unusual school year.

(StatePoint) New research suggests that Americans are volunteering to give back to their communities and fight stress during uncertain times.